McLaren duo warn others ‘will join us in the fight’ despite impressive Friday showing in Imola

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have warned that other drivers remain a threat in Qualifying for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix despite the pair having dominated practice on Friday.

Piastri, who leads the Drivers’ Championship by 16 points to his team mate after three successive wins, headed both practice sessions on Friday, each time less than half a tenth ahead of Norris.

FP2: Piastri leads another McLaren 1-2 at Imola as Hadjar brings out red flags

During FP2, which was held in conditions most representative of those likely to be seen in Qualifying on Saturday, the duo were two tenths clear of the chasing pack, which was headed by Pierre Gasly’s Alpine.

Despite a positive opening day, Piastri remained cautious about McLaren’s chances given the closeness of the field, with the top five cars separated by less than one-tenth in FP1.

IMOLA, ITALY - MAY 16: Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes on track — Piastri pipped Norris to the top of the times in both sessions

«This wouldn’t be the first Friday where we’ve looked strong and then everyone has found a bit more going into Qualifying,» he said.

«I think we still want to find a bit more but everything has gone pretty smoothly. The cars feeling decent, still a few more things to tweak but all in all, not bad.

WATCH: Hadjar triggers red flag during FP2 at Imola after spinning into the barriers

«Saturday has been very important pretty much everywhere this year. I think, regardless of what the rest of this year has looked like, Imola is a place where Qualifying means a lot and that is going to be important but at the moment I don’t think it’s just Lando and I.

«I think there’s a few others that will join us in the fight tomorrow so we’ve got to keep our heads down and try and find a bit more.»

IMOLA, ITALY - MAY 16: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes on — Norris echoed his team mate in predicting McLaren wouldn’t have it all their own way across the weekend

McLaren have shone throughout the season so far, claiming five wins from six races which included romping away from the opposition in Miami last time out, as Piastri led a McLaren 1-2 for the second time this year.

Norris also echoed his team mate’s comments, though, believing that the gap on Fridays has appeared larger than what usual materialises on Saturday.

«We always look much better than everyone then we get to Qualifying and they catch up so I don’t think we’re in a comfortable place,» he said.

«We still have work to do. Alpine were quick, they’ve always been quick here and I’m sure Red Bull will catch and Mercedes will be on it just when they turn their engines up.»